Nov. 1, 2024

An early voting precinct is set up at Morton Mandan Public Library, 609 W Main St. Ballots for each precinct in the county will be available. Every qualified voter residing in Morton County can use this early vote precinct.

The remaining early vote precinct hours are:

• Friday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Election Day all polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To find your polling location and more information visit vote.nd.gov. 

Memorial Highway reconstruction scheduled to begin in 2025

During its Oct. 1 meeting, the City Commission approved a resolution creating street improvement district 239 for the reconstruction of Memorial Highway. This is a two-phase project, anticipated to take three-years to complete:

• 2025 The east half of Memorial Highway from 32^nd Street to the east (phase 1) will begin in 2025, improving the primary travel lanes of the highway.
• 2026 Secondary improvements to the east half of Memorial Highway, plus the beginning of west-half (phase 2) off-corridor and storm sewer work, along with the improvement at Main Street.
• 2027 Address the primary travel lanes on the west half of the roadway, from 32^nd Street to Main.

During construction, the roadway will remain open with at least one travel lane in each direction and a center turn lane. Access to all businesses will remain open during the construction years as well.

The project is a full-depth reconstruction of Memorial Highway from Main Street to the Memorial Bridge including:

• transitioning from an asphalt to concrete surface
• adding sidewalks to the northeast side of the corridor and a shared use path to the southwest side of the corridor
• improving traffic flow and intersection safety
• improving drainage
• providing safe access to businesses
• underground sanitary sewer and water line improvements
• MDU will bury current above-ground lines along the corridor 

Once complete, the typical roadway section will be a five-lane section with a center turn lane. At the signalized intersections there will be medians with turn lanes. 

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is hosting public input meetings to discuss proposed improvements at the Sunset Drive Interchange on Interstate 94. The project includes reconstruction of the Interstate 94 Interchange at Sunset Drive, including the intersection of Old Red Trail and Boundary Street NW at Sunset Drive. Representatives from the NDDOT and Mead & Hunt, Inc. will be on hand to answer questions and discuss concerns.

When: Thursday, Nov. 7, 6-8 p.m. (formal presentation at 6:30 p.m.)

Where: Mandan Middle School, 2901 12^th Ave NW, Mandan

Additional information on the meeting is available at dot.nd.gov/events/public-input-meeting-i-94-exit-152-sunset-drive-interchange

Earlier this year, the City Commission approved a Visitors Fund request of up to $300,000 in additional funding for the Mandan Progress Organization for phase two of the Mandan Holiday Lights on Main! This phase will bring even more sparkle and holiday cheer to downtown Mandan with exciting new features:

• Brand-new LED street light pole decorations along Mandan's Main Street from Mandan Ave NE to Eighth Ave NW.
• Garland wreaths on the iron cast light poles on the north side of Main Street in the downtown corridor.
• A Grand Garland Arch over the west entrance of the Morton Mandan Public Library, along with festive decorations.
• Completed building trim LED lighting on the south and west sides of the Morton Mandan Public Library.
• Three new signature displays for Dykshoorn and Heritage Parks: The White Christmas Castle, Holiday Penguin, and The North Pole.

Mark your calendars!

• Community Decorating Day is Nov. 4 from 1-5 p.m.
• The Grand Lighting Ceremony is Nov. 29. at 6 p.m.
• Santa's Arrival is Saturday, Nov. 30 from 1-3 p.m.

Additional information on the Holiday Lights on Main can be found at visitmandan.com.

Mandan Visitors Fund financials stem from a 1% tax on restaurant and lodging sales that is restricted by state law to use for capital improvements and equipment that attracts visitors to the community.

The Mandan Progress Organization is hosting the 11^th Annual Santa Run on Main Street in Mandan on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m.

The Santa Run is more than just a 5K –it’s an opportunity for families, runners and community members to come together, don their Santa suits and celebrate the season of giving and recovery. Participants of all ages are invited to take part in the fun, whether experienced runners or first-time participants. Registration is now open. Click here to register.

The event will feature music, hot cocoa, holiday treats and plenty of Christmas cheer as the Santa-clad runners enjoy the festive display of holiday lights. Proceeds will benefit Hope Manor and local addiction recovery programs.

The Santa Run brings attention to the pervasive issue of addiction in our communities while sending a positive message of hope and recovery. Through the support of generous sponsors, volunteers and the community, the Santa Run has encouraged people to embrace running as a healthy lifestyle alternative. For the past 10, years, this uplifting event has celebrated many success stories amidst the challenges of addiction, offering hope to those in recovery.

Mandan Public Works is encouraging residents to install driveway markers this winter. These tall, skinny, bright colored pole markers assist plow operators in identifying curbs and driveways. A simple “help us, help you” tool to save tax dollars, proving to be very beneficial during big, winter storms that require additional assistance from private snow removal contractors.

Please contact the Public Works Department with questions at 701-667-3240. 

As winter approaches, Mandan Public Works reminds residents about the snow removal process and ways you can help assist crews:

• Generally 4 inches of snow accumulation requires plowing of all routes.
• Remove vehicles from the street as soon as possible after snowfall.
• Using driveway markers to identify curbs and driveways helps with plowing efforts.
• Snow removal and sanding vehicles must stop and back frequently. Stay a minimum of 50-feet behind them, and remember a typical snow plow is wider than most driving lanes.
• Property owners are required to remove snow and ice from their sidewalk within 24 hours after its deposit. If not removed, the City may do so and charge the property owner.
• Please clear snow from the area around mailboxes and fire hydrants.
• Do not put snow from your property on the street. Snow may be placed in the unpaved portion of the boulevard within the public right-of-way.

Exception for downtown core area. For properties in the downtown core with buildings constructed lot line to lot line, there is an exception regarding where snow from sidewalks can be placed. In these circumstances, snow may be shoveled into the adjacent on-street parking lane. Public Works crews will remove it when hauling snow from the area.

Below are route priorities created to provide for the safe and orderly movement of traffic throughout the city during all weather conditions, including severe winter storms. A map showing snow removal routes is posted at cityofmandan.com/maps.

• Priority 1: Major arterial routes. High traffic volume streets and business districts.
• Priority 2: School emergency & CAT bus routes. Network connection for students, parents, teachers and school bus operations to nine public schools and two private schools plus CAT bus routes.
• Priority 3-4: Residential routes and alleys. Network connection to all residential areas.

For more snow removal information, visit cityofmandan.com/snowremoval.

City Staff are working on two mailers that residents will receive in December: a public works brochure and a household garbage and recycling collection schedule and map.

These two items are being mailed this year after the announcement that the community calendar will not continue. Community events will still be shared in the monthly print newsletter, e-newsletter and online at visitmandan.com.

The Public Works brochure will have information on Spring Clean-Up Week, Community Clean-Up Month, Free Fall Landfill Week, Public Works Open House, recycling, garbage collection, and all divisions of Public Works.  

Residents can sign up to receive news and announcements via text message from the City of Mandan!

Messages may include information on garbage and recycling collection schedule changes, volunteer opportunities, office closures, etc.

Users may receive up to three messages per month and have the ability to opt-out at any time.

Small Business Saturday takes place following Thanksgiving and “Black Friday.” The special day gives shoppers the opportunity to celebrate and support small businesses in our community! Explore indepemdent local businesses and find unique gift items. Shop Mandan this holiday! 

Headwater Wholesale, 3521 Memorial Hwy

Nefertiti Afro Beauty Shop, 102 First Ave NW

Pan Dulce Y Mas, 517 E Main St, Ste A

Rare Bird Records, 2318 Memorial Hwy